The RAIB is investigating a fatal accident which occurred at Saxilby, north-west of Lincoln, on Tuesday 4 December 2012.

At around 13:50 hrs, the 11:19 hrs Northern Rail service from Scunthorpe to Lincoln was passing through Saxilby when it struck and killed a track worker who was employed through a recruitment agency. The track worker was part of a group undertaking track maintenance on the adjacent line, which was closed to rail traffic at the time. His role at the time of the accident was that of Site Warden. The Site Warden’s sole responsibility is to monitor the actions of the other people in the work group and immediately warn them if they move into a position where they could be struck by a train operating on an adjacent open line. The Site Warden is not therefore required to look out for approaching trains as his focus is on ensuring that all members of the work gang remain in a place of safety at all times.

The RAIB’s investigation will consider the sequence of events that led to the accident, the planning of the work and the actions of those on site. It will also review the way that the works were managed and any factors that influenced the actions of those involved. The RAIB’s investigation is independent of any investigation by the safety authority (the Office of Railway Regulation) or the British Transport Police.

The RAIB will publish a report, including any recommendations to improve safety, at the conclusion of its investigation. This report will be available on the RAIB website.